The Belgian striker handed in a formal transfer request and looked set to leave Villa Park in the middle of the summer but the Midlands club eventually persuaded him to stay and the 22 year old signed a new long term deal.

Benteke is now back from injury and ready to push the Villains up the table but Lambert has confirmed that Spurs came in for him during his tough period of the summer.

No bid was made by Tottenham, who went on to sign Roberto Soldado instead, but the Villa boss was never worried that his main man would leave despite being on holiday for the most part.

“I was on holiday. I was not bothered. I knew what was happening; I was never really bothered because I knew he was never going to go anywhere,” Lambert said

“I didn’t worry about it. I knew myself what was going on, so I was not going to get caught up in something that was never going to transpire.